Clinic staff discuss plan to combat opioid addiction

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic announced in July a medication-assisted treatment program that helps patients struggling with opioid use disorder. Opioid abuse has been called a national health emergency by the Centers for Disease Control, with an average of 130 Americans dying each day from opioid overdoses.

The medication of choice at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic to treat opioid abuse is buprenorphine, a non-addictive opioid that treats withdrawal symptoms and also blocks cravings long-term.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Dr. Catherine Hansen, Dr. Kurt Farchmin and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic CEO Kate Surbaugh about the treatment used to combat opioid abuse and addiction.